169-objects; and one often sees people angling forpraise, where, admitting all they say to he true,(which, by the way, it seldom is) no just praisois to be caught 1). One man affirms that he hasrode 2) post a hundred miles 3) in six hours:probably it is a lie; but, supposing it to be true,what then ? Why he is a very good postboy: thatis all. Another asserts, and probably not withoutoaths, that he has drunk 4) six or eight bottlesof wine at a sitting; out of charity, I willbelieve him a liar; for if I do not, I must thinkhim a beast.Such, and a thousand more, are the follies andextravagancies, which vanity draws people into.The only sure way of avoiding these evils, is:never to speak of yourself at all. But when,historically, you are obliged to mention yourself,take care not to drop one single word, that candirectly or indirectly be construed as fishing forapplause. Be your character what it will, it willbe known; and nobody will take it upon yourown word. Never imagine that any thing, you cansay yourself, will varnish your defects, oradd lus-tre to your perfections; but, on the contrary,it may, and nine times in ten will, make the for-mer more glaring, and the latter obscure. If youare silent upon your own subject, neither envy,indignation, nor ridicule, will obstruct or allaythe applause which you may really deserve; butif you publish your own panegyric, upon anyoccasion, or in any shape whatsoever, and how-ever artfully dressed or disguised, they will allconspire against you, and you will be disappoint-ed of the very end you aim at.Take care never to seem dark and mysterious;which is not only a very unamiable character, buta very suspicious one too: if you seem mysteriouswith others, they will be really so with you, andyou will know nothing.Always look people in the face when you speak